Things to Do in Kadikoy, Istanbul

The article is an exciting piece of literature about Kadikoy, a pleasant and easily functional city with a history of bridging various cultures to Istanbul´s Asian shore.

Updated Date : 15.03.2022

Things and Places that Makes Kadikoy Famous

From the shores of Moda neighborhood extends across the Marmara's Sea toward Sultanahmet, exhibiting the skyline of Kadikoy.

Bahariye Street

Kadikoy is a well-known and flourishing city due to bustling Kadikoy's Fish Market offering and serving Turkish pizzas with enriched flavors of stuffed mussels and olives and many more. On bending streets, buildings are decorated with colorful murals picturing Anatolian eateries, a hub to indie boutiques and hip cafes. Kadikoy's Fish Market and its well-known "Bahariye Street" are the best places to visit in Istanbul's Asian side, Kadikoy.

Bahariye Street is traffic-free and is always lively and crowded. The Sureyya Opera House is its famous and eye-catching building specially designed as a theater ball house and an opera in 1927 and has established as the first ball opera house on the Asian side of Istanbul and ranked 6th highest in Turkey, which is the best place to visit in Istanbul's Asian side.

Eating and dining out in Kadikoy, Istanbul, is always fantastic. The city consists of a wide variety of dining opportunities for visitors in Kadikoy. It is most appealing to say that the whole city district of Kadikoy is occupied with quality restaurants and eateries/cafes. The most excellent and best restaurants in Kadikoy are situated in the Kadikoy market known as "Bahariye Street."

Bars Street:

Kadikoy has famous busy city life with a lively atmosphere, being highly flourished for its transportation hub, colossal market, arts and cultural events, bustling shopping centers, cafes and pubs, eateries and restaurants by the seashore and inland piece of lively nightlife particularly along the famous "Bars Street" and the residential suburb area nearby of beautiful Moda (well-known as Istanbul's colorful districts) are the things to do in Istanbul's Asian side.

The Tellalzade Street

In this glamorous city, one may feel joy in experiencing and enjoying the life inside Istanbul and how Istanbulites live. The city covers a wide range of best places to visit in Istanbul's Asian side and the area of the Kadikoy market. Kadikoy is famous for "The Tellalzade Street," showcasing shops with unique features accessories that take one personal and emotional sense of connectivity towards the heart of Istanbul. And also the best second-hand bookstores with the collection of Istanbul's cultures, Kadikoy establishments attract customers and travelers to make things to do in Moda, Istanbul. and the most visited and one of the best things to do in Istanbul's Asian side across the shoreline and touching Moda suburb nearby. Travelers can taste a variety of foods & beverages, Turkish foods and continental cuisine according to their taste.

Muvakithane Street

The Muvakithane Street (The Baylan Patisserie), Ciya (kebabs and home foods) in the Guneslibahce Street, cafes in the Kadikoy harbor (Denizati Restaurant) and Viktor Levi Wine House in Moda are the best restaurants in Kadikoy area. It is also recommended to visitors that Serasker Street's Turkish Coffee places are also the best places to visit Istanbul's Asian side located at the market area of Kadikoy.

From delicious breakfast cafes to mouth-savory lunches, there are multiple kinds of appetites serving all day long. From kebabs and meatballs on pita bread to scrumptious world's dishes and cuisines, Kadikoy restaurants serve plenty of suburb foods! Travelers go mouth-watered and hungry by choosing a wide variety of different cuisines served within the best food spots side by side to each other.

Best Restaurants in Kadikoy

Kadikoy is famous with its local restaurants and tastes. 3 places to must visit while in Kadikoy are listed.

Ciya Sofrasi

When talking about the best restaurants in Kadikoy, Ciya Sofrasi's name comes on the top of the best restaurants in Istanbul and is highly famous for dishes representing colorful past of Turkey foods. The enriched flavors of cuisines adding up in food recipes have now been forgotten after modernization and an indulgence of international effects. Another one of the best restaurant in Kadikoy is Pidesun. It is known for "Pide" a Turkish-style pizza shaped in a different size than most regular pizzas and served without tomato sausages. The Turkish most famous Pide is “Pastirmali Kasarli Acik Pide.” Pastirma, a kind of a cured beef and spicier food in Kadikoy.

Kadi Nimet

Another beat restaurant is Kadi Nimet, a fish restaurant and a fish market in front of the restaurant, located in the Kadikoy Fish Market. It contains extensions of seafood and meze taste, a fish showcase from which visitors and customers can order their favorite one. Visitors willing to visit the best restaurants full of delicious Turkish cuisines then Yanyali Fehmi is one of the best places to visit Istanbul's Asian side. It has been located in Kadikoy Fish Market since 1919, and tills now offer many best foods on the pan Asian of Istanbul. "Yanya Meatball" is considered one of the most famous dishes of the restaurant. Precisely cooked meatballs and covered by thin wrapping slices of eggplant and finally baked with sauces and tomatoes increase the hunger.

Cibalikapi Moda

Cibalikapi Moda is also a well-known restaurant, basically a seafood restaurant offering visitors to indulge in the bold flavors of the Turkish Tavern environment by the modern twist. The restaurant's specialty is preparing different and unique hot and cold appetizers with a preference for offering less seasonal and fresh fish instead of bringing an extensive menu.

Turkish people and Istanbulites are specifically known for their contented heart and love of offal with a typical dish called "kokorec." It is a grilled sandwich with roasted lamb intestines for a perfect elimination of hangover food. There are bars and clubs nearby Rexx, and the place is hustling and bustling, especially on weekends.

Things to Do in Moda, Istanbul

Moda is one of the greatest and peaceful-green neighborhoods side of Kadikoy, Istanbul. The seashores of Moda and the beauty of parks are a very renowned and interactive source of enjoyment for the young locals, which makes one explore things to do in Moda, Istanbul. Moda is a widely populated commercial area in the Asian side of Istanbul. Travelers may reach Moda even by walking along the shoreline of Kadikoy within 15 minutes.

Moda is occupied with lovely cafes, restaurants and Tea Gardens along the Moda inland and coastal lines. Taking a rest at the pleasant eateries of Moda and observing the sunset view has taken great attraction of visitors in Moda. Within its persified arts, music and cultural background, The Baris Manco's (Globally famous Turkish artist and a singer) House Museum is also situated in Moda, which leaves a sense of exploration to visitors for things to do Moda, Istanbul.

Nightlife in Istanbul's Asian side (at Kadikoy) is full of lively inspirations and popular for things to do in Istanbul's Asian side. Among these best things to explore, Kadife Street, also known as the "Bars Street" in parallel to Moda Street, are widely populated areas spending lively nights with fun and entertainment in Kadikoy, Istanbul. In addition, visitors may explore the overall capacity of great cafes and eateries, pubs and bars, bistros, opera and live musical events here in Moda, Istanbul.

Safety in Kadikoy

Kadikoy has a safe and peaceful environment. It is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul's Asian side if travelers avoid few critical spots somewhat dangerously, and travelers must be well aware that restaurants, market shops, tourist hotspots and public transportation are such essential places where the majority of pickpocketing and thefts occur. Sometimes violent crime exists here in Kadikoy, Istanbul, regardless of its hustling and bustling interactive life.

Generally, the transportation system in Kadikoy is safe and is considered reliable if travelers succeed in preventing themselves from pickpocketers in a crowd of public transport. In addition, for the safety of life purposes, travelers should be well aware that local drivers often drive recklessly and do not follow traffic rules and signatures.

The reports of tourists being drugged, stolen from, or mugged show that violent crime exists in Istanbul but has a meager rate. Tourists lost their passports due to stolen cases so, travelers must be cautious and leave them in their accommodation. Furthermore, women travelers traveling or walking solo in the dark must avoid it. Therefore, for one's safety purposes, it is better to avoid poorly lit and isolated areas.

With the advancements in camera network supervision, Istanbul's streets are much safer, and the snatching and mugging cases have declined. It also considers that once the travelers say goodbye to Kadikoy, Istanbul, they carry positive experiences with the safer zone.

Ways to Go to Kadikoy

There are multiple ways to get to Kadikoy. Easiest one is by ferries that departs from Besiktas, Eminonu and Kabatas areas. In addition, big public buses called "Metrobus" and "Dolmus" operate to Kadikoy from centralized European districts of Istanbul (from Besiktas and Taksim).

"Marmaray" metro line can be preferred as well for fast and comfortable way of travel to Kadikoy from "Yenikapi or Sirkeci" areas in Old City of Istanbul. Therefore, it is suitable to access Kadikoy with ease.

Istanbul Airport to Kadikoy

The traveling distance between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Kadikoy is hardly 42 km. However, the distance of the road is about 58.5 km. Therefore, the suitable and best way to reach Kadikoy from Istanbul Airport (IST) by Havaist Airport Shuttle Buses. You need to get a ticket in order to use the bus which cost around 40 Turkish Lira. Havaist Shuttle Buses can be found on -2 floor of the airport. Other option is to travel with a local taxi. The cost approximately 200 Turkish Lira - 250 Turkish Lira and taking around at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The cheapest way to get to Kadikoy from Istanbul Airport is by Havaist Shuttle Bus service. One way shuttle transfer is included in Istanbul E-pass.

Kadikoy from Sultanahmet

There are few suitable ways to reach Kadikoy from Sultanahmet by tram, train, ferry, bus, taxi, shuttle or car. Among these convenient ways, the easiest is to go by Kadikoy ferry and reach Eminonu first by "T1 Bagcilar - Kabatas Tramway". The local tramway operates after every 3 minutes and charges 6 TL for one use card called "Birgec". There is no means of direct connectivity from Sultanahmet to Kadikoy. However, travelers can also go by the tram to Eminonu and then pick a ferry to Kadikoy.

Other option is to take "Marmaray" metro line from "Sirkeci or Yenikapi "stations. From Sultanahmet easiest and closest one is "Sirkeci Station." It can be reached by 10-15 minutes walk from Sultanahmet or you can take the tram from "Sultanahmet Station" to Kabatas direction and get off at "Sirkeci Station"

The Final Word

Half a million inhabitants are dwelling in Kadikoy. A dynamic area where citizens and visitors feel joyful strength and energy coming from every corner of the city. Based on the long-term cultural persity, Kadikoy has above a thousand historical monuments and buildings. With its beautiful architectural system, Haydarpasa Railway Station fits well as one of Istanbul's most strong identities.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Kadikoy known for?

    The historic quays of Kadkoy are well-known and famous. The railway station structure, which has early Turkish architecture and is situated on the seafront, symbolizes the district ferry dock, which Turkish architect Vedat Tekin constructed in 1917.

  • How safe is Kadikoy?

    The atmosphere in Kadikoy is secure and calm. It is one of the most incredible places to visit on Istanbul's Asian side if visitors avoid a few risky areas.

  • How can I go to Kadikoy?

    There are several ways for traveling to Kadikoy, Istanbul, via aircraft is the most convenient option. However, travelers can look up Turkish Airlines and other world-class airlines that fly to Kadikoy daily. In addition, many major Asian neighborhoods of Istanbul have public buses and Dolmus that run to Kadikoy.

  • How do I get from Istanbul airport to Kadikoy?

    You can get Shuttle bus (Havaist) takes 1,5 hour to 2 hours. Most convenient method to go from Istanbul to Kadikoy is to go by taxi. It is economical and time-saving too.

  • How do I get to Kadikoy from Sultanahmet?

    Tram, rail, boat, bus, taxi, shuttle, or automobile are the five options for getting to Kadikoy from Sultanahmet. The most convenient method is to take the ferry to Kadikoy and then take the "T1 Bacalar-Kabatas Tramway" to Eminonu.

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